Capital Region Physicians - Central Missouri Cardiology

• Cardiac Nuclear Imaging (Stress Testing)*: For detecting blockages in the arteries of the heart, this form of testing uses tracer injections and a camera to provide images to show blood flow to the heart. We offer two types of nuclear imaging, PET and SPECT. PET imaging is only offered in Central Missouri at our facility. This type of images produces a higher quality image with lower radiation exposure and is often used with patients who have had poor quality of images with other modalities. Our lab is accredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) for nuclear for PET and SPECT imaging to validate the quality studies performed since 2008.

• Echocardiogram and vascular ultrasound procedures*: These procedures use sound waves to generate detailed images of the heart’s walls and interior structure of blood vessels such as in the arteries in the neck and legs. Our lab is accredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) for echocardiography and vascular imaging to validate the quality studies performed since 2008.

• Pacemaker/Defibrillators Management: Implanted pacemakers and defibrillators must be checked frequently to ensure that they are functioning properly. A specialized pacemaker clinic is available in our office to have your device analyzed and then interpreted by your cardiologist. Our pacemaker clinic provides personalized care and education to each patient.
• Remote Web-based Pacemaker/Defibrillator Monitoring: This service makes it convenient for our patients to transmit their pacemaker data to our office from the comfort of their homes while still having your pacemaker analysis interpreted by your cardiologist.
• Congestive Heart Failure Management: Central Missouri Cardiology’s Heart Failure Clinic was developed in 2007 to provide close monitoring and prompt management of our patients with heart failure to improve patient outcomes, reduce the need for hospitalization, and improve the quality of their life.
• Coumadin Management: Anticoagulants (blood thinners) like coumadin or warfarin, require regular monitoring of lab values and dose management. Our highly trained coumadin clinic staff closely monitors each patient by testing lab values with a simple finger stick, obtaining immediate results and providing education and dose management at each visit. Our staff are certified instructors for home INR self testing. Some patients may quality for home self testing which enables the patient self test to home while still receiving the dose management and education from our coumadin clinic. Our anticoagulation management team relies on latest information and protocols to insure our patients are receiving care based on the most current standards.
• Amiodarone Management: Amiodarone is a one of the most effective medications to keep your heart in a normal rhythm but, it has potential side effects therefore requires close monitoring. Our amiodarone clinic regularly monitors the patient’s response to the medication by monitoring lab values and collaborating other health care providers such as their ophthalmologist or optometrist. Our amiodarone management team provides education and close monitoring of our patients while utilizing the latest information and protocols to insure our patients are receiving care based on the most current standards.
• Cholesterol Management: Management of cholesterol is paramount to good cardiovascular health. Our lipid management team incorporates life style modification, prescription and non prescription treatment modalities to achieve the patient’s individual goals through our lipid clinic. Cholesterol testing is performed by finger stick at the time of the visit with immediate results to promote prompt and efficient treatment recommendations.
• Heart Monitoring: For detecting disturbances in the heart rhythm, we offer EKG’s, holter 24 hour monitoring, and 30 day event monitoring in our facility

*May also be performed in the hospital setting.

• STEMI STEMI stands for ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction or a heart attack with EKG changes showing that is it occuring emergently. During a heart attack, the blood flow is reduced or blocked to an area of heart muscle. Without prompt treatment, the muscle will become damaged. This is a medical emergency which requires prompt coordination between the emergency department, cardiac catheterization lab, and our group of skilled interventional cardiologists. Our physicians are on call for these emergencies 24/7.

• Diagnostic Cardiac Angiography: Central Missouri Cardiology provides cardiac angiography (cardiac catheterization) and interventional cardiology services to diagnose and treat heart conditions such as coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, and congenital heart disease. During the cardiac angiography, a long, narrow tube (called a catheter) is inserted into a blood vessel in your arm or leg and guided to your heart with the aid of a special X-ray machine. Contrast dye is injected through the catheter so images of your valves, coronary arteries, and heart chambers can be viewed. If a significant blockage is found which is impairing blood flow, an intervention may be performed to open up the artery such as the placement of a stent.
• Diagnostic Arteriogram: An a Arteriogram is an invasive procedure that can be safely performed on an outpatient basis to detect blockages in your arteries other than your heart. If a significant blockage is found which is impairing blood flow, an intervention may be performed to open up the artery such as the placement of a stent.
• Pacemaker Insertion: The normal, healthy heart has its own natural pacemaker that regulates the rate your heart beats. However, some hearts do not beat regularly. Often, an implantable pacemaker can correct the problem. A pacemaker is a small device that sends electrical impulses undetected by the patient to the heart muscle to maintain a suitable heart rate and rhythm. Pacemakers are implanted just under the skin of the chest typically below the collar bone during a minor surgical procedure
• Cardiac Nuclear Imaging (Stress Testing) see above
• Echocardiogram and vascular ultrasound see above